The Seattle Seahawks found a true diamond in the rough with the No. 35 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. South Carolina standout Nick Emmanwori has been even better than advertised, looking like a veteran among rookies right out of the gate.
Emmanwori has been instrumental in the Seahawks' Super Bowl run. His 13 forced incompletions are first among rookies and first among all safeties, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). His journey is just getting started, but he already looks like a perennial All-Pro candidate.
Considering that, even the winningest quarterback of all time had to give him his flowers. In the second edition of Tom Brady's "LFG Awards," the seven-time Super Bowl winner gave Emmanwori the nod as the Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Tom Brady raves about Seattle Seahawks star Nick Emmanwori
“Nick Emmanwori, what an animal this guy is,” said Brady. “He’s big, he’s fast, he’s physical. He made some game-changing plays last Sunday in the championship game, covering people, knocking balls away, pass defense, tackles in the run game, aggressive in his run fits. This guy has a very bright future.”
Of course, this award isn't official by any means, but this is the ultimate praise coming from one of the toughest competitors pro sports have ever seen. Also, he's a finalist to win the actual award, although Cleveland Browns LB Carson Schwesinger seems to be the odds-on favorite.
Whatever the case, Emmanwori surely has bigger fish to fry at this moment. Regular-season awards are nice and all, but unlike most first-year players, he has a Super Bowl to prepare for, and he'll be instrumental in his team's ability to get the job done.
Emmanwori finished his first regular season with 81 total tackles, 18 pressures, 11 pass breakups, nine tackles for loss, and a 12.5 percent forced incompletion rate. His PFF grade (71.4) ranked 22nd among 98 eligible safeties, which seems a little low, all things considered.
He embodies a Seahawks' defensive identity that seemed long lost from the Legion of Boom days. He's a hard-hitting, trash-talking athletic freak who's not going to give up on any play.
He's got a great nose for the ball, and once he starts forcing more turnovers, he's going to be one of the best defensive backs in all of football. Few rookies can take a defense to the next level right out of the gate, and it'll be a joy to watch his journey to the top.